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Sani KaitaNigerian footballer, midfielder
Date of Birth: 02.05.1986
Country:  Nigeria |
Content:
- Early Life and Club Career in Nigeria
- Move to Europe: Rotterdam and Sparta
- International Career Beginnings
- Monaco and the French League
- Loans and Russian League
- Further Loans and the Ukrainian League
- International Success: Olympic Silver
- 2010 FIFA World Cup Incident
- Summary: Club and International Honors
Early Life and Club Career in Nigeria
Sanni Kaita is a Nigerian professional footballer who began his career at the youth academy of Kano Pillars, a football club in the city of Kano, Nigeria. In 2004, he officially launched his professional career with the same club.
Move to Europe: Rotterdam and Sparta
In 2005, Kaita signed a four-year contract with Sparta Rotterdam in the Netherlands. He made his debut on October 22, 2005, in a home match against Roda JC. During his time at Sparta, he played a total of 22 matches.
International Career Beginnings
Kaita made his debut for the Nigerian under-20 youth team in 2005 and won the silver medal at the FIFA U-20 World Cup that year. He played in all seven matches for his team during the tournament.
Monaco and the French League
In September 2008, Kaita joined AS Monaco in France and made his debut on October 5 in an away match against Saint-Étienne. He only played three matches for Monaco before news emerged that he was transferred to Kuban Krasnodar in Russia.
Loans and Russian League
In January 2009, Kaita was loaned to Kuban Krasnodar for the remainder of 2009. He played 17 matches in the Russian Premier League and one match in the Russian Cup for Kuban.
Later that year, Kaita was loaned to Lokomotiv Moscow until the end of the season, joining the club on August 25. He chose the number 18 as his jersey number. However, he only played three matches for Lokomotiv before the club decided not to purchase his transfer or extend his loan agreement.
Further Loans and the Ukrainian League
In February 2010, Kaita was loaned to Alania Vladikavkaz until the end of the season. He made his debut for Alania on March 14 in a home match against Saturn Ramenskoye.
After his time at Alania, Kaita was once again loaned out, this time to Metalist Kharkiv in Ukraine.
International Success: Olympic Silver
In 2008, Kaita became an Olympic silver medalist with the Nigerian Olympic football team. He was also part of the Nigerian squad that won the bronze medal at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations.
2010 FIFA World Cup Incident
During the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Kaita was sent off in the match against Greece for unsportsmanlike conduct. Nigeria ultimately lost the match 2-1 after leading 1-0.
Summary: Club and International Honors
- Olympic Silver Medalist: (1)- Africa Cup of Nations Bronze Medalist: (2)
- FIFA U-20 World Cup Silver Medalist: (1)
